“It’s time to stop this madness.” –Yeb Sano at UN Climate Change Convention’s 19th Conference of the Parties, Warsaw, Poland
The extremity of devastation caused by the recent Supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that hit the Philippines and the severity of global threat posed by climate change to the entire world is madness at its tangible form. This is the state of complete wildness, insanity and rage of the current situation and events that created strings of negative consequences to humankind.
Yeb Sano voiced out the urgent need to stop this madness at the UN Climate Change Convention’s 19th CoP at Warsaw, Poland as he linked Supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) as one of climate change’s intensifying consequences.
The increasingly warming temperature of the Earth’s surface and oceans enables the air to hold more water vapor forming stronger and more powerful tropical storms. (Source: google.com)
Climate Change is not the cause of Supertyphoon Haiyan but still a reason to fight Earth’s Warming
Pointing climate change as the main cause of the formation of Supertyphoon Haiyan may not likely be the case according to some scientific reports. As the September 2013 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report indicates, there is a low probability of tropical cyclone changes occurring due to human influences so far; implying that formation of much stronger type of tropical cyclones like Haiyan is not the direct result of climate change that is mainly caused by human activities.
Yes, it might be true. However, it doesn’t change the fact that climate change still brings variety of dangers that might even include more intense and stronger storms especially with Earth’s increasingly warming temperature today.
This inevitable climate crisis referred by Sano as “madness” should be all the more reason to fight against the Earth’s warming and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions while building a global community that is resilient to extreme climate conditions.
We cannot just sit still, watch what happens next and allow this madness to continue affecting our lives. We need to take action. But the question is, who would take the lead in initiating the needed change?
Youth’s Key Role as “Agents of Change”
Apart from greenhouses, this world is also filled with uncertainties about our future as we move towards a rapidly-changing world due to the effects of intense climatic changes. However, there is one thing that is certain and constant. It is the fact that someday the young people and the future generation will inherit this world and endure the consequences of the climate change as long as it remains unabated.
The importance of youth’s participation in fighting against climate change lies in their ability to become the agents of change. As agents of change, they play the key role of constantly challenging and reminding their peers, leaders and their selves to take the initiative and put into action their advocacy to secure a much better world and a brighter future.
Distinctive way of approaching and solving problems with new ideas and concepts is one of youth’s key strengths that can be maximized to further promote awareness and advocate climate change prevention as well as adaptation in various countries.
The youth can have a significant and active role in standing up and fighting against climate change. (Source: google.com)
Feasible and tangible ways the youth can apply to provide some solutions to climate change:
- Initiating mitigating methods in reducing greenhouse gases emissions through environmental projects and activities
- Coordinating with adaptation and disaster risk reduction management organizations for natural disaster preparation
- Joining in educational forums, trainings and capacity-building activities in relation to climate change to unravel the potential leaders in them.
- Disseminating information that emphasizes awareness-raising campaigns and advocacy materials
- Participating in climate change policy-making to formulate more efficient and effective climate change laws, rules and amendments.
As young people working together hand-in-hand across the globe to fight against climate change, the hope to make change possible is already within our reach. We can all take the lead. YOUth can take the lead in making change not only possible but also real.
“It’s time to stop this madness NOW”.
Online Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2847326/
http://www.rtcc.org/2013/11/11/its-time-to-stop-this-madness-philippines-plea-at-un-climate-talks/
http://www.rtcc.org/2013/11/10/philippines-envoy-un-climate-talks-are-fight-for-countrys-future/
YOUth can. 